When Elyes Gabel, better known as Guppy in Casualty, was asked by Action Medical Research to take part in the 25th Action 100 Bike Ride from Bristol to London in August next year, he was keen to take part, with just one problem. His bike was recently stolen in Bristol, and without wheels, he can’t make a start on his training to get him into shape for the challenge on the August bank holiday.

Action Medical Research is now appealing for a bike shop owner, or a bike company, to donate a bike to Elyes so that he can take part in the 100 mile ride next year and help to raise money for Action Medical Research. If you are interested in donating a bike, please contact Zoë Mitchell on 01403 327404.
Participants of the ride start out from either Bristol or nearby Bath and pedal their way to London, helping to raise money through sponsorship for their challenge. This year, cyclists of all ages took part and raised an estimated £60,000 to fund vital medical research.
Jennifer Reid, Fundraising Manager for Action Medical Research is the South West said:
”We’re delighted that Elyes Gabel has signed up to the Action 100 Bike Ride, it will make our 25th anniversary year even more special. We are getting more and more people signing up every year for the ride, and we’re hoping 2006 will be our biggest year yet. There are so many vital medical research projects being funded by the charity which are based in the Bristol area, and the results of these projects could be of benefit to us all.”
Action Medical Research, whose previous successes include the introduction of the UK polio vaccine, pioneering hip replacement surgery and ultrasound scanning in pregnancy, and have been making breakthroughs for over 50 years. They’re dedicated to building a healthier future for everyone, and by signing up to the Action 100 Bike Ride you can make a start on your own healthy future and help to support vital medical research. In the Bristol and Bath areas alone, five groundbreaking medical projects are taking place, with doctors and scientists looking into, amongst others, osteoporosis, water on the brain and premature baby care as part of the charity’s Touching Tiny Lives campaign.
Elyes Gabel is hoping that someone will deliver him a shiny new bike so he can help to support Action Medical Research, and he hopes that all of you will be making similar Christmas wishes and signing up to the Action 100 ride next year. Having a challenge to aim for in the summer is a great way to keep you motivated once you’ve made that resolution to get fit after all the Christmas excess. If you’re interested in joining Elyes on the Action 100 Bike Ride, visit our website to pre-register at www.action100ride.org.uk or telephone Jennifer Reid on 0117 9355040
And don’t forget to call 01403 327404 if you think you can help Elyes with a new bike so that he can take part in the challenge.

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